Target Stores - not allowed to exchange gift due to not having gift receipt

# 10 for May 30, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on May 29, 2003:

From: ptjarod //

RE: Target Stores - not allowed to exchange gift due to not having gift receipt

If you were unlucky enough to have received a gift from Target, or did not pay with a credit card and lost your receipt, your in for some fun if you want to make an exchange.

My five yr old son received a toy for his birthday from a relative out of state. We were told it was purchased at a Target Store in the state they live, but came with no gift receipt. It was a nice toy, but was basically for a child of the age group of 2-4 years old, and wasn't age approprite for my son. We took it back to our local Target Store for an exchange. I was only seeking to exchange the item, which was clearly never used, in total resaleable condition, and was obviously an item that was regularly carried by Target.

I was told that because of the fact that the item was valued over $10.00, and we had no receipt, that I could only exchange the item for another item from the exact same DEPARTMENT and CLASS as the returned item. This does not allow you to exchange your item for any item in the store, nor even any other toy item. I would have to exchange this item from a specific CLASS of items which were ALL geared to the same age group of children. This was of no help whatsoever, since the new toy would also be for a younger child!

My wife and I have spent alot of money at our local Target Store which is less than a mile from our home, but will not shop there anymore. I am tired of companies treating people like criminals when it comes time for a legitimate exchange. If it is clearly an item Target carries, then why couldn't it be exchanged for ANY other item Target carries? I returned this item to KB TOYS at our local mall. I told them it was not purchased there, but they also carry the item, and were more more than happy to exchange it for me. Guess where I'm shopping for toys in the future. Perhaps if enough customers don't shop Target, they might rethink their idiotic return policies.

Tim R

Matthews, NC